As F&A Next draws to a close, two of this year’s Next Heroes in Food & AgTech 2026 will be granted the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award, each receiving a prize grant of €12,500. The award will be personally announced by Feike Sijbesma, a visionary leader widely recognised for transforming Royal DSM into a sustainability-driven […]
As labour shortages intensify and production demands rise, agriculture is rapidly transitioning toward an automated and data-driven future. Robotics, autonomous drones and advanced sensing technologies are no longer on the horizon, they are reshaping daily operations on farms today, improving precision, reducing labour pressure and unlocking new levels of productivity across crop systems and growing […]
As we wrap up F&A Next 2026, we reflect on two inspiring days filled with innovation, collaboration, and groundbreaking insights in AgriFoodTech. We’ll share key takeaways, successes, and next steps for the future.
GLP-1 medications are doing more than managing weight, they are quietly rewiring consumer behaviour across the entire food system. As users move away from ultra-processed and sugary foods toward nutrient-dense, high-protein and functional alternatives, major food manufacturers are racing to reformulate, resize and rethink their portfolios, creating clear openings for the next wave of food innovators. At […]
Biotechnology is fundamentally transforming the way we grow, protect and improve our food supply. From gene editing to precision fermentation, the pace of scientific advancement in plant sciences is opening new possibilities for a more resilient, productive and sustainable agricultural sector. In this session, Richard Harrison, Managing Director of the Plant Sciences Group at Wageningen […]
The next generation of food and agtech scaleups takes the stage. In this high-energy pitch session, five Series A and B founders present their startups to a room of investors, industry leaders and fellow entrepreneurs, making their case for why their company is poised to lead the future of food and agriculture. Following each pitch, […]
This session opens with first-hand insights from a successful entrepreneur on what it truly takes to scale an agrifood startup beyond the early stage. Building on this, a panel of leaders from policy, entrepreneurship and investment explores the critical levers of rapid growth. From sharpening value propositions and building strong teams to navigating funding pathways […]
The second day of F&A Next opens with an interactive session that brings the community together and builds on the insights and conversations of Day 1. Moderated by Rens de Jong, this opening sets the stage for a full day of forward-thinking dialogue, strategic exchange and meaningful collaboration across the food and agriculture sector.
Moderated by Adam Anders
Five pre-seed and seed stage startups take the stage at F&A Next to showcase their innovations and compete for the prestigious Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award. Each team presents their solution to some of the most urgent challenges in food and agriculture, making their case to a dedicated jury of industry experts. Following the pitches, […]
The panel takes a broader look at how Europe can shape the next decade of AgriFoodTech innovation. Speakers explore how lessons from the Dutch ecosystem and emerging collaborations with global venture builders such as Flagship Pioneering can inform a stronger European strategy. Topics include the opportunities in green biotechnology and agri-food robotics, the decline of risk capital and […]
Discover six innovative AgriFoodTech startups tackling some of the most pressing global challenges in food and agriculture. During this StartLife Demo session, pioneering founders take the stage to present their solutions, offering a first-hand look at the ideas and technologies that are driving the next wave of transformation across the ecosystem. Moderated by Jorien Hattink
What does it take to build the ventures that will shape tomorrow’s world? In this opening keynote, Eva de Mol brings together her rare dual expertise as a leading academic and investor to explore the evolving entrepreneurship and investment landscape and the profound impact of technology on society. Holding PhDs in economics from both the […]
F&A Next kicks off with a dynamic opening session that sets the stage for two days of forward-thinking dialogue on the future of food and agriculture. The Organizing Partners Nicola Harrison (StartLife), Sebastiaan Berendse (Wageningen University & Research) and Alex Datema (Rabobank) take centre stage in an in-depth interview, sharing their vision on the challenges […]
